Energy Dept. Rejects Rallies At Nevada Nuclear Test Site

AP

Published: February 19, 1987

LAS VEGAS, Nev., Feb. 17—
Because of growing incidents of civil disobedience, antinuclear protesters will no longer be allowed to demonstrate on a section of the Nevada Test Site, the Energy Department announced Tuesday.

''The decision is based on increased violations of laws and the rising cost of controlling protesters, road blockades and civil disobedience,'' said Jim Boyer, a Department spokesman.

He said the department paid $302,000 last year for security guards and law-enforcement officers to handle crowds at demonstrations.

Until recently the Energy Department issued permits for demonstrations on department land. Because protesters can still use adjacent land owned by the Bureau of Land Management, the decision is not expected to have a major impact on the demonstrations.